Gauge for ascertaining the lift of compressor air valves



July 5,1932- P. A. ALONZO 1,866,000

GAUGE FOR ASCERTAINING THE LIFT COMPRESSOR AIR. VALVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 15. 1950 3 m B ierAAla n z 0 P. A. ALONZO GAUGE FORASCERTAINING THE LIFT OF COMPRESSOR AIR VALVES July 5, 1932.

Filed Nov. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented July 5, 1932 PATENT oF cr:

rnzrnn l m, or evnnnteaanamnxxoo Gauge .1103, ascnnramme rnn LIFT oroonrnnssqn Am VALVE S Application filed November 15, 1930. Serial No.495,982.

Thls invention relates to gauges generally,

unskilled person may easily ascertainthe exact lift of the upper andlower air valves of-the compressor.

The invention hasfor a further object to provide gauges of the characterstated which shall be capable of being used efliciently by those engagedin the daily repairing of theair compressors in railroad shops and" bythose engaged in the up-keep of thecompressors in round houses.

The invention has for afurther object to provide gauges of the characterstated which shall be simple, strong and durable, which shall beuniformily accurate, which shall be capable of being manufactured at alow cost and which shall be adapted to be maintained in a highlyIefficient condition with little labor and at low cost. 5

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the natureof which willappear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in theconstruction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section'and partly inelevation illustrating the first step of the method of using the upperair valve gauge to ascertain the lift of this valve.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the second or final stepof themethod of using this gauge to ascertain the'lift of this valve.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of this gauge.

Figure l is a sectional view taken on" the horizontal plane indicated bythe line l-d of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the horizontal plane indicated bythe line 5-'- 5 of Figure .2. Y

Figure 6'is aview partly in vertical section and partly in elevationillustrating the first step of the method of using the lower air valvegauge-to.ascertain the-lift ofthis valve.

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating the second or final step of themethod of using this gauge to ascertain the liftof' thisvalve,

and I Figure'8 is a top plan view of this gauge. Referring in detailtothe drawings, and

particularlyto Figures 1 and 2, 1 designates a fragmentary portionof'the upper'end of the cylinder of a Westinghouse steam driven aircompressor, 2 the upper'air valve of the compressor, 3 the seat for thevalve and 4 the a cap for the valve.

An opening5'formed in the upperendof the compressor cylinder directlyabove the valveQ, is provided for the reception ofthe cap 4: which isscrew threadedly engaged with the wall 'of'the opening. The cap 4: isprovided with an outer annular flange 6" and "an upwardly extendingwrench engagin'g boss 7 The flange 6 contacts withthe upper end ofthefcompressor cylinder, and as the cap 4 is turneddownwardly tocompensat'e for wear therein, and inthe valve'2, the flange wears anannular groove in said end of the cylinder. The groove, which sur,rounds the opening 5 is designated 8.

The gauge, through the medium of which the lift of the valve2 may beascertained, and which is shown in'Figures 1 to'5, comprises a metalbody 9 of U-form in elevation and of suflicient' thickness to give itthe re-' quired strength and rigidity. The cross bar 10 of the body 9is, provided centrally between its ends with an opening 11 which isarranged in a planeparallel to the planes of the legs 12 of the body.The cross bar 10 has its outer corners notched, as at'18, to provideoutwardly facing shoulders 14 which are curved and arrangedconcentriecally to the axis of the openings '11; The shoulders 1d are spaced apartfor a distance slightly less than the diameter groove 8. Thelegs .12have their inner sides curved transversely, as shown at, 15, and jthesecurved sides are concentric to the axis of the opening 11., The distancebetween the curved sides 15 is slightly greater than the outer diameterof the standardair valve cap 4, and also greater than the corresepondingdimensions ofover s1ze-a1r valve caps foun in old Westinghouse aircompressors, so as to adapt the gauge for application to either of thecaps.

The opening 11 is cylindrical and its diametrical dimension is large ascompared with the thickness of the cross bar 10. To permit the opening11 to be formed therein without weakening the same, the cross bar 10 isof increased thickness at its transverse center, as shown at 16. A tube17, which is greater in length than the width of the cross bar 10, isslidably mounted in the opening 11. The tube 17 is held against rotationwith respect to the cross bar 10, by a rib 18 formed on the wall of theopening 11 and engaging in a groove 19 formed in the outer side andextending longitudinally of the tube. The tube 17 is held againstaccidental endwise movement with respect to the cross bar 10 by a setscrew 20 carriedby the enlarged cross bar portion 16 and contacting withthe tube at a point diametrically oppo site the rib 1 8 and groove 19.That end of the tube 17' located between the legs 12 is of conicalformation, as shown at 21, and the I other end of the tube is closed bya plug 22 which is screw-threadedly engaged in the tube and providedwith a milled operating head 23.

, A cylindrical bar 24 is slidably mounted in the tube 17, and'extendsthrough and beyond the conical end portion 21 of the tube. The bar 24 isprovided at its inner end with a cylindrical head 25 which contacts withthe inner surface of the tube 17 to hold the bar against any tiltingmovement with re spect'to the tube. The bar 24 is held against rotationwith respect to the tube 17 by a rib 26 which is carried by the head 25and fits in a groove 27 formed in the inner side of the tube andextending longitudinally thereof, the groove 27 being arranged at fromthe groove 19.

A coil spring 28 which is located within the tube 17 between the plug 22and rod head 25, functions to constantly urge the bar 24 into itsoutermost position with respect to the tube. When the bar 24 is in thisposi tion the conical outer sides 29 of the head 25 contacts with theconical end 21 of the tube 17. The bar 24is provided at diametricallyopposite sides thereof with seriesof graduations 30 which are spacedone-thirty-second of an inch apart. The outermost graduation is markedzero, the third graduation from the zero graduation is marked three, andthe fifth graduation from the zero graduation is marked five. The outerand smaller end of the conical tube portion 21 functions in connectionwith the graduations 30 as a pointer or marker.

V The valve 2is provided in-thecenter of the upper side thereof with aone-quarter of an inch tappedfhole 31. During the unseating thereof,-thevalve 2 contacts with the 4 so as to enable the lift of the valve to beaccurately ascertained.

To ascertain the lift ofthe upper air valve 2, the valve cap 4 isremoved from the cylinder, and the gauge is applied to the cylinder in amanner to position its cross bar 10 upon theupper end thereof and acrossthe opening 5, asshown in Figure 1. In applying the gauge care must betaken to arrange the shoulders'14 in the groove 8 worn in the upper endof the cylinderby the cap flange 6. After the gauge is applied to thecylinder, the set screw 20. is turned back so as to free the tube 17fordownwardmovement to position the plughead 23 in contact with thecenter of the upper side of the valve 2. The set screw 20 is now'turnedup to secure the tube 17 against movement from the position it nowoccupies on the cross bar 10. After this has beendone, the gauge isapplied to the valve cap 4 in a manner to position the free ends of itslegs 12 in contact with the lower side of the flange 6. While this isbeing done the graduated bar 24 is held pressed into the tube 27 so asto insure the full contact of these ends of the legs 12 with the-capflange 6. 7 After the gauge has been applied to the valve cap 4, thegraduated bar 24 is released so as to permit it to be moved by thespring 28 intocontact with the center of the lower side ofthe valve cap.When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest by contacting with the lowerside of the valve cap 4, that graduation 30 located nearest the smallerend of the conicaltube portion 21 will indicate the lift of the upperair valve 2. The space between the zero and the third graduations isused for the purpose of ascertaining when an upper air valve is blind;that is, when the air valve lifts less than three-thirty-seconds of aninch. When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest with its third graduationin alinement with the lower end of the tube portion 21, the lift of thevalve is correct; The space between the third and innermost graduationsis for the purpose of determining the over lift that all worn valvesgenerallyhave.

Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, 1a designates a fragmentary portion ofthe lower end of the compressor cylinder, 34- the lower air valve of thecompressor,'35 the chamber of the cylinder in which the valve works and36 the cage for the valve. An opening 37 in the lower end of thecompressor cylinder is provided for the reception of thecage 36 which isscrew-threadedly engaged with the wall of the opening. The cage 36isprovided with an outer annular flange 38 and a downwardly extendingwrench engagin boss 39. The flange 38 contacts with the l ower end ofthe cylinder, and as the cage 36 is turned upwardly, to compensate forwear thereon and in the valve 34, the flange wears an annular groove inthe lower end of the cylinder. The groove surrounds the opening 37 andis designated 40.

The gauge for ascertaining the lift of the lower air valve 34 is showninFigures 6, 7 and 8 and embodies parts similar e'xceptas to size to thecorresponding parts of the gauge for ascertaining the lift of the upperair valve 2. The cross bar 10a of the lower air valve gauge is shorterthan the cross bar 10 of the upper air valve gauge, the legs 12a of thelower air valve gauge are longer than those of the upper air valve gaugeand are provided with concave inner sides 15a, the tube 17a of the lowerair valve gauge is longer than the tube 17 of the upper air valvegaugeand the plug 22a of the lower air valve gauge'is longer than the plug 22of the upper air valve gauge. The other parts of the lower air valvegauge are similar to the corresponding parts of the upper air valvegauge and are designated by corresponding reference characters. Theshoulders 14 of the lower air valve gauge are spaced apart for distancesless than the diameter of the groove 40 so as to permit the gauge to beapplied to'the lower end of the cylinder as shown in Figure 6.

To ascertain the lift of the lower air valve 34, the valve cage 36 isremoved from the cylinder, and the gauge is applied to the cylinder in amanner to position its cross bar 10a against the lower end thereof andacross the opening 37, as shown in Figure 6. In applying the gauge caremust be taken to arrange the shoulders 14 in the groove 40 worn in thelower end of the cylinder by the cage flange 38. As the gauge is appliedto the cylinder, the set screw is turned back so as to free the tube 17afor upward movement to position the plug head 23 in contact with thecylinder of the upper wall of the valve chamber 35. The set screw 20 isnow turned up to secure the tube 17a against movement from the positionit now occupies on the cross bar 10a. After this has been done, thegauge is applied to the valve cage 36 in a manner to position the freeends of its legs 12a in contact with the upper side of the cage flange38. WVhile this isbeing done the graduated bar 24 is held pressed intothe tube 27a so as to insure the full contact of the legs 12a with thecage flange 38. After the gauge has been applied to the valve cage 36,the graduated bar 24 is released so as to permit it to be moved by thespring 28 into cpntact with the center of the upper side of the valve34. When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest by contacting with the upperside of the valve 34, that graduation 30 locatedinearest the small endof the conical with its third graduation in alinement with the lower endof the tube portion 21, the lift of the valve is correct. The spacebetween the third: and innermost graduations is for the purpose ofascertaining the over lift that all worn valves generally have. Y

From the foregoingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, it should be apparent that the upper air valvegaugeiand the,lower air valve gauge are similar except as to the relative proportionsof certain parts thereof, that both gauges are used in substantially thesame manner to ascertain the lift or lifts of the valves, and that bothgaugesprovidea simple and easily taining the'lift or lifts of thevalves. As the bar 24 is provided atdiainetrically opposite sidesthereof with graduations, each] gauge may be read from either sidethereof. By removing the plugs 23 and 23a, the springs 28 and graduatedbars 24 may be removed from the tubes 17 and 17 a for the performedmethod of ascerpurpose of cleaning the springs, bars and the inner sidesofthe tubes. The lower air valve 34 wears away the top wall of thechamber 35 during the unseating thereof, and the tapped hole 41 in theupper side of this valve forms a projection 42 on the cylinder of saidchamher which is received the recess of the plug cap 23 when the lowerair valve gaugeis applied to the cylinder.

While I have described the principle of the invention, together with thestructure which I now consider the preferred embodiment thereof, it isto be understood that the structure shown is merely illustrative andthat such changes may be made, when dev sired, as fall within the scopeof the invention as claimed.

What is claimedis 1 1. A; gauge of the character set forth, comprising abar, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar, atube passing through the bar for endwise adjustment with respect to theopposite side of the bar, means for securing the tube in adjustedposition, and a graduated bar slidable freely in the tube and extendingfrom one end thereof in the general direction of'the extension of thelegs, said end of the tube cooperating with the graduations on the baras a pointer. V

2; Agauge of the character set forth, comprislng a bar, legs extendingin a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube passing throughthe bar for endwise adjustment with respect to the opposite side of theits bar, means for securing the tube in adjusted position, .a graduatedbar slidably freely in the tube and extending from one end thereof inthe general direction of the extension of the legs, said end of the tubecooperating with the graduations on the bar as a pointer, and a, springholding the graduated bar in extended position with'respect to the tube.

3. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, le s extendingin a common direction from one side of'the bar, a tube passing throughthe bar for endwise adjustment with respect to the opposite side of thebar, the tube being provided in its outer side with a longitudinalgroove, an element carried by the bar and engaging in the groove to holdthe tube against rotation with respect to the bar, means for securingthe tube in adjusted position, and a graduated bar slidable freely inthe tube and extending from one end thereof in the general direction ofthe extension of-the legs, said end of the tube cooperating with thegraduations on the bar as a pointer.

4. A gauge, of the character set forth, com prising a bar having anenlarged central portion provided with'an opening, legs extending in acommon direction from one side of the bar and arranged at opposite sidesof said opening, a tube mounted in said opening for endwiseadju-stmentwith respect to the opposite side of the bar, the tube being provided inits outer side with a longitudinal groove, a rib on the wall of saidopening and engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotationwith respect to the bar, a set screw carried by the enlarged portion ofthe bar and engaging the tube to secure the latter in adjusted position,and a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending therefrom in thegeneral direction of the extension of the legs. 7

5. A gauge of the character set forth, con1- prising a bar, legsextending in a common direction from one side of the bar, a tubeextending through the bar and adjustable in an endwise direction withrespect to the opposite side of the bar, that end of the tube tendingthrough the bar and adjustable in an endwisedirection with respect tothe opposite side of the bar, that end of the tube located beyond saidfirst side of the bar being reduced and of conical formation, agraduated bar carried by the tube and extending through said end thereofwhich co-operates with the graduations as a pointer, the tube beingprovided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, ahead secured tothe inner end of the graduated bar and provided with arib slidablyengaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation with respectto the bar, a plug carried bythe opposite end of the tube, a springpositioned between the plug and the head of the graduated bar, and meansfor securing the tubejagainst rotation with respect to the bar. j

7. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, legs extendingin aconnnon di rection from one side of the bar, a tube extendingthrough the bar and adjustable in an endwise directionwith respect tothe opposite side of the bar, that end of thetube located beyond saidfirst side of the bar being reduced and of conical forn1ation,'agraduated bar carried by the tube and extending through said end thereofwhich co-operates with the graduations as a pointer, the tube beingprovided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, a head secured tothe inner end of the graduated bar and provided with a rib slidablyengaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation Withrespect'to the bar, a plug carried by the opposite end of the tube, aspring positioned between the plug and the 7 head of the graduated bar,means for securing the tube against rotation with respect to the ban-thelegs being provided with concave inner sides and the bar being providedat said 1 opposite side thereof with inwardly offset arcuate shoulders,and the graduated bar and plug being provided in their outer ends withconcave recesses.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aihx my signature.

PETER A. ALONZO.

located beyond said first side of the barbeing I reduced and of conicalformation, a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending throughsaid end thereof which co-operates with'the graduations as a pointer,the tube being provided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, ahead secured to the inner end of the graduated bar and provided with arib slidably engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotationwith respect to the bar, a plug carried by the opposite end of the tube,a spring positioned between the plug and the head of the graduated bar,and means for securing the tube in adjusted posiiton.

6. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, legs extendingin a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube ex-

